Star ratings for green utility suppliers
Published On 6 June 2007
The energy regulator has proposed a new star-rating scheme designed to make it easier for consumers to see which utility supplier offers the greenest products.Ofgem has suggested that all utility suppliers who offer green energy deals should be awarded between one and five stars.
"More and more people want to go green, but they need to be sure that what they're doing is making a real difference," explained minister of state for climate change and the environment, Ian Pearson.
"Green tariffs have the potential to be a real force for good, and I'm delighted that the Energy Saving Trust and Ofgem are doing this much-needed work that will give consumers clear, accurate information on the options that are available to them."
Consumer watchdogs welcomed the proposal. SimplySwitch.com said that it was currently difficult for consumers to compare different green utility deals.
"The 'green issue' is more of a 'grey issue' at present, so introducing a system to objectify the greenness of each tariff will be an important step forward," explained Karen Darby, the founder of the price comparison site.
"An easy-to-understand key is exactly what consumers need and should help people to make a better-informed choice when it comes to renewable energy."
"At the moment, it's very easy to compare energy tariffs based on price. Once the new rating scheme is in place, it should be equally easy to compare tariffs on environmental grounds," she concluded.
